On reflection: Mirrored Walls

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A mirror holds magical properties. It both catches the light and then casts it forward into the room. It appears to enlarge the size of the room. It can be a work of art in itself. 

The use of mirrors on the walls can vary. They can be mounted in a grid pattern on an accent wall.

Traditional Home  Photo by Emily Followill

This room's mirrored wall was aged before its application.

Traditional Home  Photo by Emily Followill

The mirrors here are unaccented and a large size. A very clean look designed by James Huniford.

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The room here contains many design elements to gaze upon. Even the mirrors here are detailed, with their small grid pattern, beveled edges and extensive aging.

Designers Here and There by Michele Keith  Photo by Casey and Anne Sills

This lovely room's mirrors are framed and presented in different sizes. With artwork and a graceful mirror placed directly on them,  they fulfill the full function of a wall.

Designers Here and There by Michele Keith  Photo by Grey Crawford

If you don't want the whole wall mirrored, you can add your own mirror "windows".

Country French magazine        Photo by Chipper Hatter

Mirror patination can be done in specific designs to complement the decor. The most sought after effect of patination is the look of an antique mirror, with the timeworn pitting of the silver on the back.  Here, the decorative painting firm in Orlando, Florida, Garay Artisans, installed mirrors with a custom oval patina.

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This beauty was accented with a damask pattern and plum color.

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The mirrors in The Bohemian Hotel in Savannah, Georgia are accented with copper and gold.

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The copper and plum colors in these mirrors command attention and admiration on this wall!

 

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There are products available to make the patination process a little easier. Antique Patina Mirror Solutions offer a three-step product that can be used on a myriad of projects. Besides the mounted mirrors on the wall, the patination process can also be done on small mirror tiles, as furniture accents with the mirror placed as a table topper and in the center of ceiling coffers. Modello Designs offer many stencil patterns that can be applied to the mirror surface.

Would you incorporate a mirrored wall into your decor? 

Seeing red

An eye popper. Loaded with energy. Regal. Commanding. Red is certainly a high voltage color.

Wouldn't these descriptions all be appropriate for this Fortuny dress?

Silk by Mary Schoeser   Photo by Claudio Franzini

Red is seen in nature everywhere.

Using red in your home is a consideration that you would give much thought to. You can start off in small doses with accessories...

 Interiors Now by Angelika Taschen  Photo by David Hiepler & Fritz Brunier

This charming screen could be placed most anywhere.

H&G 10-06     Screen by Edelman Metalworks

Getting braver, the red jolts of color nicely compliment the robin's egg blue walls and deep purple accents of the bedding. The purple and red join in the rug to pull it all together.

House Beautiful    Photo by Ditte Isager

Deciding to color your walls is next. In Italy, this would be a no brainer. Get out the red ochre pigment and start brushing.  

 Mediterranean Color   Book and photo by Jeffrey Becom

 

In the office setting, the red Venetian plaster is a rich addition to the otherwise contemporary, but sedate design. 

 Real Illusions, Inc.

The random gold leaf applied to this red wall dresses up the dark color in an exciting way.

 Art & Decoration   November-December 2003  

Here, red foil is first applied to the wall and then stained to achieve the depth you see. Tammy Anthony, of Buford, Georgia, is the decorative artist who designed this finish.

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In this bath, the beautifully peaceful stencil is on top of a wall finished with a mixture of acrylic wax and a water-based stain.

 

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This red marbleized wallpaper beautifully complements the powder room's antique fixtures. The paper is called Pheasant in Orange by Twigs, available at John Roselli.  

 House Beautiful   Photo by Simon Watson

Michele Molek, of Fashionable Finishes in Southern Pines, NC, created this extraordinary dining room with a combination of foil, metallic plaster and inlaid Modello designs. Cool room!

Lastly, here is an up-to-date, traditional library that shows off its wood panels with a luxuriously rich, high gloss r-e-d. The warm colors are cozy and inviting, especially with the fire going in the evening.

Belle magazine      Photo by Richard Powers

Would you decorate with red in your home? I would love to see more examples.

I will be offering a hydrangea wreath to the lucky winner of my 100th post celebration giveaway! Be sure to check in this week for the details.

And while you're at it, hop on over to Mona's place, Providence Ltd., to try your chances on winning three, beautiful leather books!